White Bear Press

CAPITAL RECAP: Local legislators reflect on session PAGE 10A

New permit designed to hold Water Gremlin accountable

BY DEBRA NEUTKENS STAFF WRITER

After four long years, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has finally issued a new, more stringent air emissions permit to Water Gremlin, a White Bear Township company with a long history of pollution violations.

The announcement came after what MPCA Deputy Commissioner Peter Tester described was a “thorough permitting process” that gave “thoughtful consideration to public comments.”

Manitou Days – Marketfest alliance

Manitou Days Chair Paul Carlson and Marketfest Director Dan Perry lead a kiddie parade through downtown White Bear Lake during the first Marketfest installment of the season, which also helped kick off the annual Manitou Days summer celebration featuring a variety of family friendly activities and events. Find more information at marketfestwbl.com and manitoudays.com and more photos at presspubs.com.

Teen band rediscovered decades after split

BY DEBRA NEUTKENS STAFF WRITER

A hometown band that disbanded more than 50 years ago received some exciting news recently out of Music City.

A Nashville record company found some of The Grasshoppers’ old tapes and decided to put them on CDs and LPs and offer them for sale.

CONTRIBUTED

they adopt a bug name like the Beatles.

Acheson played rhythm guitar. Other band members included Greg (Jiggs) Lees, lead singer; Ben Hamar, lead guitar; Tim Black, bass guitar and Phil Scollard, drums. They rehearsed in Black’s basement. All still live locally except Hamar, who lives in Florida.

Founders of the grassroots watchdogs known as the Neighborhood Concerned Citizen’s Group (NCCG) were invited to attend a briefing at MPCA offices to hear the news firsthand. The deputy commissioner prefaced permit details with an “enormous thank you to members of the NCCG.”

Addressing the three women, Tester said, “Thank you for all your work the last six years in the community and for helping MCPA do its work. It has made the (permit) process better and stronger in protecting human health and the environment for residents in White Bear Township and White Bear Lake.

“This is an important day,” Tester continued. “It culminates over four years of hard work to ensure Water Gremlin abides by the law and by terms and conditions of its permits issued by MPCA.”

The new air quality permit, which went into effect June 15, includes more stringent emissions limits

“It’s difficult to say what inspired the music company to do this, and it’s even more difficult to forecast what their expectations are, but we’ll see,” said Tom Acheson, one of five members of the teenage band.

The Grasshoppers appeared at local teen “nightclubs,” high school and college dances, armories, ballrooms, arenas, churches, synagogues, fundraisers, county fairs and VFWs. The venues were scattered across Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. SEE GRASSHOPPERS, PAGE 2A

Formed in 1965, the group of White Bear Lake teens started as The Eskorts, changing their name to The Grasshoppers after a booking agent suggested

Acheson provided the background story: It was December 1967 and the band was in a recording studio playing a song called “Sugar and Spice” (originally recorded by The Searchers) for a 45-rpm single. The back, or B-side, was “Very Last Day,” originally done by Peter, Paul and Mary. The 45 played on Twin Cities

CONTRIBUTED

The watchdog trio who make up the Neighborhood Concerned Citizens Group include, from left, Leigh Thiel, Sheri Smith and Kelly Tapkan.

GRASSHOPPERS: Album, CD released

radio stations; it was the only single The Grasshoppers released.

The newly compiled album, called “Let It Be That Way,” contains that lone 45 and 14 unheard tracks, including eight original songs written by guitarist Hamar. The songs were recorded in a different session later that same month in ’67. The CD also contains a bonus tune written by Hamar, a Dutch immigrant who moved to White Bear with his parents at age 14.

The cover photo is from a poster of the group orchestrated by their booking agent in 1968. They rented costumes for the promotional shoot and were told “not to smile,” recalled Acheson.

opened for The Young Rascals at the Minneapolis Armory in 1968. After the show, they threw their gear in a van and raced across town to appear at The Prison.

“I can’t wait to be asked about all those prisons,” Acheson teased. “It wasn’t like Johnny Cash’s ‘Folsum Prison Blues’!”

Acheson told Millar the record brought back a lot of memories. The LP prompted him to “dig out” his turntable from storage. He thinks the vinyl sounds better than the CD.

“The title track, ‘Let It Be That Way,’ with the horn section, was like all the others during that recording session,” Acheson wrote the producer. “No sheet music, just Ben Hamar describing what he wanted to hear. Listening to that tune today makes me really appreciate what was pulled off in that session. The horn players were in a local group called Metropolitan Soul, and all were White Bear grads.”

The Grasshoppers played their last gig March 10, 1969. Three of the five stayed with music, all on a part-time basis, Acheson said. He finally sold his guitar and amp in 1982, the same year he put his turntable, tuner and speakers in storage.

The Press did a story about The Grasshoppers reuniting at Washington Square in 2021. The liner notes mentioned the reunion and the fact a story about them appeared on the front page of the local paper.

“The town hadn’t forgotten The Grasshoppers,” noted the writer.

With the vinyl record are “liner notes” telling some of the group’s history and behind-the-scenes tidbits about members that Acheson shared. He included a thank you letter he sent to the record producer, Jay Millar, that included a clarification or two. It made him laugh, Acheson said, when he read the liner notes about The Grasshoppers playing at prisons. The writer mistook a Burnsville venue called The Prison as a real place of incarceration.

The teen club was a venue the band played often, including the day they

That reunion inspired Acheson to buy a guitar, he said, like the one he had in 1966 but older. “I now enjoy entertaining myself privately at home,” he wrote Millar, with a 1952 Gibson L-5C.

As for release of the album 54 years after the band parted ways, Acheson simply remarked, “life’s full of surprises.”

The CD and LP are available on Amazon and other outlets. White Bear Records plans to carry the CDs, but its distributor reported that vinyl was sold out.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Band members gathered in 2021 for a reunion at Washington Square. From left, Ben Hamar, Tom Acheson, Tim Foster (equipment manager), Jiggs Lees and Tim Black. Phil Scollard was out of town.

The new CD, “Let It Be That Way.”

We Do the Heavy Lifting for You!

Free summer meals for students

Free summer meals are available for kids and teens age 17 and younger. There is no enrollment and no cost. The healthy meals are based on USDA nutrition guidelines. Additional information is available on the WBLAS district website, isd624.org. Plan for lane closures on Highway

36

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has announced overnight lane closures on Highway 36 this week. On Wednesday, June 21, through Friday, June 23, eastbound Highway 36 between Edgerton Street and White Bear Avenue will be reduced to a single lane nightly from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., and eastbound Highway 36 between Century Avenue and I-694 will be reduced to a single lane from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Westbound Highway 36 will be reduced to a single lane between I-694 and Edgerton Street from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night beginning Monday, June 19, through Friday, June 23, and on Sunday, June 25. There will also be intermittent left lane closures in both

directions of Highway 36 between I-35E and Stillwater Boulevard from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly beginning Sunday, June 25. through Tuesday, June 27.

All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather dependent and subject to change.

Learn about ham radio at Field Day

The St. Paul Radio Club (KØAGF) along with the Mining Amateur Radio Club (3M) (WØMR) will participate in a national event for amateur radio operators called Field Day at Benson Airport the weekend of June 24-25. Field Day is ham radio’s open house. Every fourth weekend in June, more than 40,000 ham radio amateurs throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to communities and the nation. The open house combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933.

Benson Airport is located at 5860

Volunteers

Celebrations of community are wonderful times for people to gather to see old friends and meet new ones. These celebrations just don’t happen unless there are volunteers willing to help. In my experience in volunteering I made some great friends. I learned more about the community and I also learned more about the history of the community and how it developed over the years.

Volunteers wear out and get tired. New ones need to come on board all the time and find new ways to show off the community you live in or are part of. Summer in the Midwest has many wonderful opportunities to celebrate our heritage. Join in.

Fourth of July

About the Town

Gene Johnson

The Fourth of July is just around the corner. It’s our Independence Day to celebrate. John Adams, our second president, thought Independence Day ought to be “solemnized with pomp and parade, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more.”

From 1776 to the present day, July Fourth has been celebrated as the birth of American independence. It was at that time Continental Congress declared the 13 colonies regarding themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and was no longer part of the British Empire.

It may be a good idea to read the Declaration of Independence out loud this Fourth of July.

Ronald Regan reminded us that it’s the people, not the government, that makes America great. Do your part, be safe, pay tribute to our heritage.

Heavy Snow

This past winter the heavy and sometimes very wet snow weighed heavily on shrubs and trees. This spring there has been a lot of tree trimming going on and cleanup. At the same time there is a lot of wood being cut and chopped for fireplaces and outdoor fires. The cleanup helps a great deal with power lines, cable lines and telephone lines. Tree trimmers have had a very busy spring and it continues.

Graduation Time

High school, college, vocational schools, and for that matter all types of educational programs, have graduations. It’s a good time to celebrate and plan ahead.

There are many job opportunities for this years’ graduates. There are approximately two jobs available for every potential applicant. But are they qualified? Do they have a work ethic? They have to begin somewhere.

Getting a job with a company or organization may not be everything you wish for at the beginning. It’s experience that counts. You may have goals and that is very appropriate, but realization of those goals doesn’t come overnight. You may have salary expectations that are not realized, but that doesn’t happen overnight either.

Be prepared and show that you have the right attitude, that you are willing to learn and climb the ladder.

You may have to sell yourself and show a potential employer all the ways you are valuable and willing to learn. Go the extra mile and accept the wage offered. As time goes on you will be paid what you are worth. Let them know you are flexible and will continue your education to meet the requirements.

To graduates, I congratulate you on your accomplishments to date. In life you are going to find you are learning every day. Let that continue. Being an intern or apprentice is very worthwhile to discover possibilities of what you might enjoy for a career. Continue to work hard at whatever you do. There will be rewards.

Meet ‘Intern 2’ at Press Publications

Hello! My name is Merrina O’Malley, and I am one of two interns at Press Publications this summer. As an inside joke, staff here at Press Publications sometimes refer to me as “Intern 2” thanks to my email address, sort of like Thing 1 and Thing 2.

I graduated from White Bear Lake Area High School in 2020 and am currently studying at Bethel University to get a major in English writing with a minor in Spanish. I discovered my passion for writing after my first high school English class with Ben Kirkham. He taught me how powerfully I could speak simply by putting words on paper, and pushed me to think and go outside of my comfort zone. Since my time in high school, I have developed an even deeper appreciation for all things literature and writing.

In the future, I would love to participate in publishing the stories of others as a content editor. I am a heavy believer in the power of literature, and being able to partake in its creation would give me much joy.

In my college classes, I uncovered a love for journalism thanks to my professor Scott Winter. I have taken a few classes that have introduced me to the magic of storytelling including one where I learned more about photojournalism and videography. I also went to the Northern Exposure event hosted by the University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication. There I heard stories about adventures on the job and miraculous moments caught on camera. This coming year, I will be freelance editing for the campus publication, “The Clarion,” and participating in the creation of the nationally accredited “Textura” magazine.

Growing up, I spent much of my time at both my Hugo and Columbus homes. My days were consumed by solving mysteries with Nancy Drew and adventuring across the prairie

with Laura Ingalls Wilder. On Saturday mornings, you could find me skating at the White Bear Lake Sports Center and eating the Loon Omelet at Key’s Café. Nowadays, I spend most of my time writing, perusing the thesaurus, and reading historical fiction. When I am not thinking about writing, you can find me out with my family, creating multimedia collage, or hiking in North Oaks.

Although I will only be working a couple days in the office, I look forward to getting to know the local community and meeting lots of new people during my time here. I take pride in my ability to tell a story and I am excited to hone my skills in a more professional setting.

From my first day of exploring the print process to sitting in on news meetings, I have already grown to be quite fond of the people here at Press Publications. I am happy to be working with such a supportive team, and am excited to work with them to create great stories. Cheers!

Merrina O’Malley is an intern at Press Publications.

WHITE BEAR PRESS | LETTER GUIDELINES

Limited to 350 words.

• Submissions must Include a full name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

• Letter writers must live, work or have another connection to Press Publications coverage area.

• Letter writers are limited to six letters per year and at least four weeks must

lapse between publication. Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters.

• Due to space limitations, letters that don’t address local issues are not guaranteed publication.

• Repeat letters by the same writer about the same subject matter will not be published.

• Submissions containing

libelous or derogatory statements will not be published.

• Submissions containing facts not previously published in the Press must be accompanied by factual verification.

• All letters are subject to editing.

• Deadline is 5 p. m. , Thursday of the week prior

to publication.

• To submit a letter, e-mail it to whitebearnews@ presspubs.com, fax it to 651-429-1242 or mail or deliver it to Press Publications, 4779 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Warming climate causes wildfires

The wildfire smoke we are experiencing this week and in the summer of 2021 is likely the first tangible result of our warming climate that many Minnesotans will see firsthand. We have had local fires impacting isolated areas before, but not mega smoke plumes that cover the entire state. Now we have seen this twice in the past three years. Scientists have been telling us for years that increasing carbon levels in our atmosphere will lead to an increase in the number of extreme weather events such as the heat and drought in Canada that led to these fires. This year’s state legislative session included a number of provisions to reduce carbon emissions and set up Minnesota as a model for Midwestern states to follow. I commend Heather Gustafson and Brion Curran for voting for these important measures and helping Minnesota lead the way in the transition to a clean energy economy.

Steven Jorissen Vadnais Heights

No one above law

Besides Trump, who is to blame for this contentious political and societal dilemma? Donald John Trump has a lifetime of lying, grifting and cheating, and a litigious record of 1,400 litigations where he has been the defendant. His lifelong claim of not doing “anything wrong” and

repetitious screams of “witch-hunt” has fallen on millions of worn-out deaf ears. He’s facing legal indictments in New York, Florida and soon to be in Georgia and Washington, D.C. He’s on the Titanic and refuses to believe it.

During this entire soap opera, the Republican House and Senate are blaming a politicized Department of Justice and a runaway FBI, while claiming the Democrats are really to blame for Trump’s indictments. The reality and truth of this obstruction of justice and conspiracy in Trump’s Florida beach home is the evidence. Tape recordings and notes from Trump himself, his lawyers and employees at Mar-a-Lago, all show an awareness of wrongdoing by Trump and suggestions of covering up his crime.

The real culprits in this potential civil upheaval are the gutless and spineless Republican House of Representatives and the Republican Senate. These selfproclaimed evangelical men and women guzzled the “Trump KoolAid” as they voted “no” in two Trump impeachment trials. Their abject fear of this megalomaniac forced them to lose their moral code and constitutional duty. The thought of Trump turning on them cost them their very soul, for they’ll have to live with their decision till they go to their graves.

Hopefully, their conscience will take its toll on them, as Special Counsel Jack Smith will showcase the Jan. 6 insurrection findings and, in so

doing, will cause the loss of sleep for many, including these Republicans: Jordan, Biggs, Meadows, Guiliani, Gosar, Brooks, Lesko, Gaetz, Hice, Green, Gohmert, and Boebert, who should be facing multiple charges, including “seditious conspiracy.” Can we say, “LOCK THEM UP!”

In closing, it’s time to look the Devil in the eye, and say to Trump, “No one is above the law!”

Jim Brunzell Jr. Vadnais Heights

Legislative session poor

The mainstream media published glowing reports about the partisan legislative session, but not all Minnesotans bought it. A poll of a representative sample of voters showed 58% thought this legislative session was fair, poor or extremely poor. Here are some reasons why.

Gov. Walz promised we would be refunded $4 billion out of the $10 billion surplus. Our legislators spent the $10 billion and then borrowed $1.5 billion more for pet projects (hockey rinks, curling clubs, ski chalets and, no joke, a loon center). On top of that they raised our taxes by $9 billion, while claiming the “greatest tax cut in history.”

Of this tax increase, $3.7 billion was assigned to a transportation bill most would assume supported roads and bridges. Instead, these billions are going to the failed Northstar line and crime-ridden Southwest light rail.   Polling in the last election indicated

Manitou Days writing contest winners announced

one hundred things that you love about White Bear in ten days, then we will consider staying here.”

“Yay!” said Acilia. “I will do ten things every day.”

On the first day, she said, “Number one, I love getting ice cream at Cup ‘N Cone. Number two, in winter, I love ice skating at Eagle Park. Number three, I like picking apples at Pine Tree Apple Orchard in the Fall. Number four, I like cleaning up Tamarack Nature Center for Earth Day in the Spring. Number five, in the summer on Fridays, we head downtown to the Farmer’s Market and swing on the zipline at West Park. Number six, I like going for bike rides to Polar Bear Park.

Number seven, I like that White Bear has little free libraries and is FREE for all people. Number eight, I get a good education at school (Go BEARS!). Number nine, I like that we have buses that take us to and from school. Number ten, I like that we have doctors.”

concerns about crime. Nevertheless, a public safety bill passed that had nothing to do with protecting the public. Rather, criminals were granted more leniency by serving less time. They also passed a bill allowing felons to vote. Coincidence?

They also stood by a false narrative to pass an elections bill. Rather than ensuring election integrity, they increased the likelihood for errors or fraud by (1) allowing illegals to get driver’s licenses; (2) automatically sending absentee ballots in perpetuity; and (3) allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to register to vote.

Gender identity was added as a class protected against discrimination and, at the same time, the definition of sexual orientation, which was protected 30 years ago, was changed. The statute used to read that sexual orientation did not include those who have an attraction to children (pedophiles), but that language was removed. Why?

Rather than promoting our beautiful forests and lakes, we have now become a tourist town for trans- and abortionrefuge, where young children receive permanently damaging hormone therapy and physical mutilation, without parental consent, and we kill babies at any time in the womb or out after a botched abortion.   Christians, please pray for this state.

Thursday, June 22, 2023

6 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Rain or Shine! Downtown White Bear Lake www.marketfestwbl.com

White Bear Lake Area Schools once again teamed up with the 2023 Manitou Days summer festival to sponsor a writing contest for students in grades K-8. There were nearly 80 entries for this year’s writing theme, “A Century of Community.”   This years marks 100 years since the formation of what has become the White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce, the opening of the newly built armory, a reinvestment of resources in the White Bear Lake fire department, and the shift from summer resort destination to year-round community. The seeds that were planted in the 1920s have been cultivated into the community we have today. The writing contest winners’ submissions will be published in the White Bear Press and Vadnais Heights Press over the next three weeks.

One Hundred Things

ISLA CATHERINE CARDOSO

1ST GRADE, OTTER LAKE ELEMENTARY

Once upon a time, there lived a girl named Acilia. She was eight years old. She lived with her mom, dad, and younger brother who was four years old named David. And a cat named Manitou. They all lived in a stone house on the corner of Windmill Drive in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. They were incredibly happy there, but when Acilia’s mom and dad tried to explain to Acilia that they wanted to move to Mexico, she begged to stay in White Bear.

“OK, OK, calm down,” said her mom.

“How about this?” said her dad. “Hey David,” he said, “please give me a number. Not a little one. A big one.”

“Ok dad,” said David. “Then, hmm...100.”

“OK, so, Acilia,” said her dad. “If you can tell me

Each day Acilia told her dad her ten favorites, Manitou, the cat, always did ten meows. And that is how it went until the 10th day. Acilia told her dad all one hundred things that she loved about White Bear. Her dad and mom decided to keep the family in White Bear. And they all lived Happily Ever After! The end.

SARAH FEIPEL

3RD GRADE, MATOSKA ELEMENTARY

Welcoming Honest Interesting True

Eleemosynary

Breathtaking

Enjoyable

Amazing Real

Loving Awesome Kind

Exciting

Things change, people living here year round Home for the summer? Not anymore.

Exquisite beginning

New invention: automobiles

Anyone and everyone is friendly

Not hostile

Dakota land, originally

Not anymore,

Only a rich vacation town

Wonderful place, especially for families

Gazebo Stage

Maiden Dixie

7:00 Intermission - Richter Piano

3rd Street Stage

The Bad Companions

7:15 Intermission – Inspiration Performing Arts

Marketfest runs Thursdays, June 15-July 27, ‘23

Featuring live music, children’s games and activities, pony rides, a classic car show, and 180+ vendors, FREE admission

Sponsors: Kowalski’s Markets, White Bear Mitsubishi, Timberline Roofing, City of White Bear Lake, White Bear Lake Main Street

Theme Week: White Bear History Night sponsored by North Star Bank 777588

Christa Mehrhoff Mahtomedi

Front(l-r): Finn Cheesebrow, Isla Cardoso, Story Eisele, Hannah Woernle, Kavin Kumar and Natalie Perry. Not pictured: Sarah Feipel. Back: Michael Lovett, Bill Foussard, David Lamwers, and Dale Grambush.

COPS&COURTS

WHITE BEAR LAKE POLICE REPORTS

The White Bear Police Department reported the following selected incidents:

• Officers responded to a report of narcotics in the 3500 block of McKnight Road N. June 7.

• Officers responded to a domestic verbal incident in the 3500 block of Glen Oaks Avenue June 7.

• Attempted theft was reported in the 4000 block of Bellaire Avenue June 7. Theft was reported in the 3600 block of East County Line Road June 7.

• Juvenile incidents were reported in the 1900 block of Sixth Street June 7.

• A man was arrested on a warrant after he refused to leave a family member’s yard in the 1700 block of Highway 96 June 7.

• A woman who stole an unknown amount of product from a business in the 4300 block of Lake Avenue S. was trespassed and asked to leave the store after she returned with a bag full of items June 7.

• A noise disturbance was reported in the 5000 block of Division Avenue June 7.

• Graffiti was reported on the door and backside of a garage in the 3600 block of Bald Eagle Avenue June 8.

• Burglary of an unoccupied home was reported June 8 in the 3600 block of White Bear Avenue.

• Disorderly conduct by juveniles was reported at a store in the 4700 block of Highway 61 June 8.

• Theft was reported in the 2100 block of Orchard Lane June 8.

A cell phone was reported stolen in the 4800 block of White Bear Parkway June 9.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 3600 block of Hoffman Road June 9.

• A man in the 4000 block of Lakehill Circle reported being scammed out of money online June 9.

• Officers responded to a verbal argument in the 2100 block of Division Court June 9.

• Officers responded to a domestic assault in the 1900 block of Eugene Street June 9.

• A White Bear Lake man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop near Bellaire Avenue and County Road E June 9.

• A Woodbury woman was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop near I-694 and McKnight Road June 10.

The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected incidents in Vadnais Heights and White Bear Township:

Vadnais Heights

• A Crystal woman, 50, was arrested for fraud May 19 after the $60,000 check she had written a few days earlier to buy a vehicle at the Luther White Bear Acura Subaru in the 3500 block of Highway 61 bounced. When the dealership contacted her after several attempts, she gave them the runaround. She was finally caught when she appeared at the dealership to get another key fob for the vehicle and was summarily detained.

• The Walmart store in the 800 block of County Road E had four juveniles banned from the premises May 19, after they stole merchandise and fled the area on bicycles. The youths were located at another store, after which they rode eastbound on County Road E. Then they fled from a traffic stop until they paused in a parking lot in the 3500 block of Willow Lake Blvd. Finally, the juveniles were detained, identified, trespassed and turned over to their parents to be charged out of custody.

• A motor vehicle was reported stolen at 10:48 p.m. May 19 from the 400 block of Oak Creek Drive S., after the victim went inside the house at 10:30.

• A West Fargo, North Dakota, woman reported Apple airpods, a Dell computer, clothes and sunglasses stolen from her unlocked vehicle after unknown persons rummaged through it. The vehicle was parked in a hotel lot in the

• A vehicle was stolen in the 4600 block of Centerville Road June 10.

• Officers trespassed a man from a home in the 4800 block of Morehead Avenue June 10.

• Officers responded to a report of juveniles trespassing on a rooftop in the 1900 block of Sixth Street June 10.

• Vandalism was reported at Podvin Park June 10.

• Officers responded to noise complaints June 11 in the 1700 block of County Road E and the 3900 block of Lakewood Avenue.

• Officers are investigating a robbery near the intersection of Eighth Street and Bloom Avenue June 11, where the suspect threatened to shoot the victim if they did not hand over a backpack.

• Officers are investigating arson that occurred June 11 in the 1700 block of Ninth Street.

• A package was reported stolen in the 3800 block of Linden Avenue June 11.

• Softball equipment was stolen from a vehicle in the 4000 block of Highway 61 June 12.

• Officers mediated a dispute in the 3300 block of Bellaire Avenue June 12.

• A disorderly group was reported in the 4900 block of Lake Avenue June 12.

• Officers mediated a dispute in the 2200 block of Thomas Lane June 13.

• Shoplifting was reported in the 2600 block of County Road E June 13.

• Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 4900 block of Lake Avenue June 13.

• A juvenile posted a video on Snapchat holding a Glock handgun with a red-dot sight and an extended magazine June 13. No threats were made to a specific person. The juvenile would not say who the gun belonged to or where the gun was now, but denied having it inside her home.

• Assault was reported in the 4800 block of Highway 61 June 13.

• Officers mediated a disorderly conduct situation in the 4800 block of Centerville Road June 13.

• Officers mediated a dispute June 13 in the 2400 block of Elm Drive.

• Officers responding to a noise complaint in the 1700 block of County Road E June 13 found no violations, and the group agreed to go inside.

1100 block of County Road E overnight May 20-21.

• A North Branch man, 43, was arrested on multiple warrants May 21 in the area of Labore Road and County Road E after deputies spotted the male standing at that intersection. The subject was familiar to them, probably because he had more than 10 outstanding Ramsey County warrants out on him for his arrest.

• A St. Paul woman reported the driver’s side window of her vehicle smashed and her wallet and house keys stolen May 21 while she was out walking in Sucker Lake Park in the 4500 block of Rice Street.

• A Menomonie, Wisconsin, woman and Vadnais Heights man reported the front passenger window of their vehicle smashed May 21 while they were fishing at Sucker Lake Park in the area of Sucker Lake Road and County Road F. A purse was stolen from the front seat, and a debit card was canceled prior to reports of fraudulent transactions.

White Bear Township

A resident in the 1700 block of Garden Lane reported losing $658 to online fraud May 19 after she tried to purchase Taylor Swift concert tickets.

• A juvenile is suspected of assault May 22 in the 5000 block of Bald Eagle Blvd. after deputies responded to a report in Suzanne Circle on an assault that may have occurred at White Bear Lake High School or on the school bus. Reports have been filed with school officials.

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected incidents in Birchwood, Dellwood, Grant, Mahtomedi, Pine Springs and Willernie:

Grant

• A resident in the 7000 block of 115th Street N. reported receiving a CenterPoint Energy scam call May 15 and giving out his Social Security number. The complainant had so far suffered no financial loss.

• A resident in the 8000 block of Lansing Avenue N. reported receiving a scam call May 16, which claimed that his son had been involved in an accident. The caller said he was an attorney named Frank Foster and that the complainant needed to send $7,000 as soon as possible. The complainant hung up and called his son immediately. The complainant’s son said he was fine and that his father must have received some sort of scam call.

• Residents in the 9000 block of Jeffrey Blvd. N. reported receiving threatening texts May 18.

Mahtomedi

• A father was reported for taking his son’s eyeglasses from Woodland Drive May 15, as part of an ongoing issue. Juveniles were reported for operating minibikes in the area of Gosiwin Avenue and Hickory Street on May 15.

• A Wildwood Road resident on May 16 reported his exgirlfriend for trespassing on his property and lying in his bed. When deputies arrived on scene, the alleged Goldilocks was gone. The complainant said he had gone to the lobby of the apartment building to report her, so she must have

left at that time.

• Deputies on routine night patrol at 11:30 p.m. May 19 on Long Lake Road observed a suspicious vehicle in the Southwest Park parking lot and discovered the individuals were trying to camp there for the night. The would-be campers were asked to leave immediately, as the park had been closed since 10 p.m.

• Noxious smoke from the burning of nonburnable items was reported on Wedgewood Drive May 20. Deputies spoke with the homeowner in charge of the burning and issued a written warning after advising him of the city ordinance about burning.

• A motorist was cited at 9:45 p.m. May 20 in the 3000 block of Century Avenue for failure to provide proof of insurance, operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license and speeding.

• Vandalism was reported at 12:03 a.m. May 20 on Hardwood Lane, as part of an ongoing issue. Deputies tried to contact the suspect without success.

• Deputies on patrol evicted a vehicle and its occupants from the parking lot at Katherine Abbott Park on Lincolntown Avenue at 11:24 p.m. May 20, after they saw a suspicious vehicle in the lot after park hours. It is not known whether the vehicle was the same vehicle being shooed out of all the other Mahtomedi parks after hours during the past week.

Pine Springs

Deputies on routine patrol at 12:51 a.m. May 20 on northbound I-694 at the Highway 36 interchange observed a vehicle dark out its lights while on the Interstate and accelerate away from them at a high rate of speed.

Local tattoo shop owner charged with trafficking human remains

Matthew R. Lampi, 52, an East Bethel resident and owner of Get to the Point Tattoo located in the Wildwood Shopping Center in White Bear Lake, was indicted

by a federal grand jury with charges of conspiracy and interstate transport of stolen goods.

According to Gerard M. Karam, a United States

Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Lampi was allegedly part of a nationwide network of individuals who circulated human remains from both Harvard Medical School and a mortuary in Arkansas.  Lampi was one of the conspirators that kept in contact with Jeremy Pauley, 41, a buyer and seller of human remains originating from a mortuary and crematorium in Little Rock, Arkansas. Lampi and Pauley bought and sold from each other over an extended period of time and exchanged over $100,000 in online payments.

Merrina O’Malley

RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

MERRINA O’MALLEY

Get to the Point Tattoo is located in the Wildwood Shopping Center.

Driverless shuttle comes to end of road

After nearly one year, the Bear Tracks Connected and Automated Vehicle demonstration project in White Bear Lake — known as Bear Tracks — has come to an end.

“Operations of the shuttle concluded because the manufacturer was purchased by another company and restructured,” according to Mike Greenbaum, executive director of Newtrax, one of the project partners. “The restructuring resulted in a lack of technical support needed to operate the shuttle.”

While Bear Tracks operations concluded prior to its planned end date, the pilot accomplished many of the project goals, Greenbaum noted. Some of these include testing operational functionality in a real-world setting and broad spectrum of weather conditions to ensure the technology is functional for Minnesotans; ensuring emerging technologies meet everyone’s needs through inclusive planning; and exposing the workforce of tomorrow to future career opportunities.

“Bear Tracks partners would like to thank everyone who participated, whether it was attending an event, riding the shuttle or participating in research,” Greenbaum said.

More information about the project can be found at beartrackswbl.org. A final report documenting the learnings from the Bear Tracks pilot will be shared later this year.

The driverless, electric shuttle service, launched last August, provided a free transportation option for those living along a 1.5-mile route between the

YMCA and nonprofit Phoenix Alternatives Inc. (PAI). The goal of the 12-month pilot project, first in the Twin Cities, was to provide access for those facing transportation barriers, including those with mobility issues and transportation challenges.

Connected.

Connected. In Community. Connected. In Community.

White Bear Lake community for over 60 years, offering hometown hospitality with a personalized touch!

• Serving the White Bear Lake community for over 60 years, offering hometown hospitality with

Debra Neutkens

The Bear Tracks project has been cut short due to lack of technical support.

And they’re off: Racing season begins for A boats

The weather cooperated for the first official A-boat race of the season with a north wind of 8 to 13 mph on White Bear Lake. Sailors held a moment of silence before the start in memory of the sport’s beloved ringleader, Fletcher Driscoll. It was Driscoll who revived the fleet on White Bear Lake and Driscoll who provides slips at his dock for the large boats. The lifelong sailor died last March at age 90.

In the first of two races June 12, W25 crossed the finish first. The boat is skippered by Lee Alnes. Skipper Van Johnson in W-9 took second. W-88, skippered by Larry Pardee, took first in the second race, with Alnes finishing second.

The Robinson, W-2, missed the first of the two races due to a malfunction, according to owner and fleet representative Gene Altstatt. The jib halyard caught midway up the mast, requiring a trip back to the dock.

All nine fleet boats were out, with the course set in Wildwood Bay.

For sale: One fast sailboat

Sailing enthusiasts who fancy being an A-scow owner may be interested in a fiberglass model for sale by Beverley Driscoll.

Named Hedwig, the fiberglass scow was built in 1996 by Melges Boat Works. The asking price is $19K.

The 38-foot sailboat is the last of the late Fletcher Driscoll’s fleet, and Beverley said it’s time to sell. “Fletcher would probably have kept it forever, but I think boats should be used,” she said.

She hopes the scow stays on White Bear Lake and promised to make room for it at the Driscoll’s Dellwood docks if it does.

Named after Harry Potter’s pet owl, Hedwig has an interesting history. It was mostly sailed by women, including its skipper, Kathy Sanville, “and a few good men.” According to Beverley, Sanville is the only woman in the world to skipper an A-boat. The boat was competitive, she added.

The Driscolls once had five A-boats for sale on the lake. All were named by their grandchildren after characters in the Harry Potter books: Hedwig, Gryphon, Firenze, Snitch and Dumbledore. Fletcher explained at the time that the boats are big and intimidating so they were given names with which young sailors could identify. Some of the new owners changed the names,

but not all.

The scows have a long history on the lake. Johnson Boat Works founder J.O. Johnson designed the racing sailboat in 1900. According to Driscoll, they are the fastest monohulls in the world.

Melges Boat Works of Zenda, Wisconsin, is the only company that still builds the majestic, flat-bottomed scow. They bought the original molds from Johnson Boat Works in the late 1990s.

Debra Neutkens

CORRECTION

Due to an error at our printing plant, pages 10, 15 and 22 were missing in last week’s White Bear Press. The content of those pages is included in this week’s paper and also available in the e-edition at presspubs.com. We apologize for the error and any inconvenience it caused to readers.

PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 624

WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN 55110

SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES MAY 8, 2023

Abbreviated Minutes-complete information available from the Superintendent’s office or online at www.isd624.org.

A meeting of the White Bear Lake Area School Board was held on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 112 at District Center, 4855 Bloom Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN. This meeting was open to the public and a recording is posted on the website. PROCEDURAL ITEMS 1) Chair Ellison called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2) Roll Call - Present: Ellison, Newmaster, Streiff Oji, Thompson, Arcand, Beloyed, Daniels. Absent: none. Ex-Officio: Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak. 3) Pledge of Allegiance. 4) Beloyed moved and Streiff Oji seconded to approve the agenda as presented. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5) Daniels moved and Newmaster seconded to approve the consent agenda consisting of: a) Minutes for regular Board meeting on April 10, 2023, and April 24, 2023; b) Invoices based upon a random sample, all of which met the standards and guidelines as set by the School Board; c) Correspondence; d) Resolution regarding acceptance of gifts with thank you letters directed to the donors; e) Field trips; and f) Resolution regarding personnel items. Roll call vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried.

PUBLIC FORUM. INFORMATION ITEMS 1) Student Recognition - Students were recognized and congratulated by Dr. Kazmierczak for earning state and national recognition in History Day, and Archery, and state recognition in Boys’ Basketball. 2) Recognition of Student Liaisons to the School Board - Dr. Kazmierczak, Superintendent and Jessica Ellison, School Board Chair thanked Lauren Collier, Student Liaison to the School Board and Arianna Vann-Cook, Alternate Student Liaison to the School Board for their participation during the 2022-23 school year. 3) Superintendent’s Report - Lauren Collier spoke about the countdown to graduation, AP testing, Prom, and upcoming boys and girls lacrosse games. Dr. Kazmierczak gave information about the 2022 graduation rate. He spoke about the Willow Lane Elementary “take-over” of Donatelli’s

restaurant. He recognized the State Nutrition Services Award winner, Natalie Sagdalen from WBLAHS - North Campus, and the Teacher of the Year winner, Mark Domschot from WBLAHS - North Campus. He finished with information about the WBLAHS production of Clue, the bus stop arm grant awarded to the transportation department, and end of the year student celebrations. DISCUS-

SION ITEMS 1) Building Assets Reducing Risks (BARR) Update - Dr. Alison Gillespie, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning shared a video that BARR recently created around the program in WBLAS. Staff members and principals who recently attended the National BARR conference were available to answer questions about the BARR program. 2) First Reading of School Board Policies: a) 535, Service Animals on School Property; b) 604, Instructional Curriculum; c) 608, Instructional Services - Special Education; d) 624, Online Learning Options; e) 701.1, Modification of School District Budget; and f) 709, Student Transportation Safety Policy. The policies listed above will be on the June 12, 2023 agenda or subsequent agenda for a second reading.

OPERATIONAL ITEMS 1) Streiff Oji moved and Daniels seconded to approve the action on Bids for Bald Eagle Avenue Road Improvements in the amount of $419,000. Roll call vote: Ayes, all. Nays. Motion carried. 2) Daniels moved and Beloyed seconded to approve the action on Teachers on Call Agreement. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3) Beloyed moved and Arcand seconded to approve the action on School Board Policies: a) 201, Legal Status of the School Board; b) 202, School Board Officers; c) 203, Operation of the School Board - Governing Rules; d) 203.2, Order of the Regular School Board Meeting; e) 203.5, School Board Meeting Agenda; f) 203.6, Consent Agenda; g) 414, Mandated Reporting of Child Neglect or Physical or Sexual Abuse; h) 415, Mandated Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults; and i) 605, Alternative Programs. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried.

BOARD FORUM. ADJOURNMENT - Arcand moved and Thompson seconded to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 p.m. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. Submitted by: Angela Thompson, clerk. Published one time in the White Bear Press on June 21, 2023.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 624

WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN 55110

SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES MAY 22, 2023

Abbreviated Minutes-complete information available from the Superintendent’s office or online at www.isd624.org.

A work session of the White Bear Lake Area School Board was held on Monday, May 22, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 112 at District Center, 4855 Bloom Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN. This meeting was open to the public and a recording is posted on the website. PROCEDURAL ITEMS 1) Call to Order - Chair Ellison called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2) Roll Call -

Present: Newmaster, Thompson, Arcand, Beloyed, Daniels, Ellison. Absent: Streiff Oji. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1) Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District Program Update - Val Rae Boe, Superintendent and Dan Naidicz, Assistant Superintendent of Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District gave a presentation on the services and programs offered to our district. 2)

Elementary Specialist Review Update - Dr. Alison Gillespie, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning; John Leininger, Matoska International

Principal; Dan Schmidt, North Star Elementary Principal; and Laura Potter and Annie Goerdt from the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) at the University of Minnesota gave an update on the Elementary Specialist Review that was conducted earlier this school year. 3) Review of FY 2023-24 Preliminary Budget - An overview of the preliminary budget and variables used to develop the budget for fiscal year 2023-24 and projected budgets for fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26 were presented by Tim Wald, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, and Andi Johnson, Director of Finance, at tonight’s work session for discussion. The preliminary budget will return to the board on June 12, 2023 for action.

ADJOURNMENT - Arcand moved and Newmaster seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 p.m. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. Submitted by: Angela Thompson, clerk. Published one time in the White Bear Press on June 21, 2023.

Debra Neutkens

A-scows head to the starting line for the season’s first race.

Fixing a malfunction on The Robinson required tipping the boat on its side.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

W-88 crossed the finish line first in Race 2.

CONTRIBUTED

Hedwig is the last A-scow in the Driscoll family’s fleet.

Due to construction at White Bear Lake Area High School, Bald Eagle Avenue will be closed from 5th Street to Stillwater Street through July 12. Please follow the signed detour using Stillwater, Division and 5th streets.

Bald Eagle detour CONTRIBUTED

FINANCIAL PLANNING

10 ways to increase your social security

The amount of your Social Security payments depends on your earnings history and the age you sign up for benefits. You may be able to boost your Social Security payments by waiting until an older age to start collecting Social Security. Continuing to work, even after retirement, and earning a higher salary can also raise your Social Security benefit amount. Married couples have the additional option of collecting spousal payments, which can also increase Social Security income. Try these strategies to maximize your Social Security payments.

1. Work for at least 35 years. It's important to pay into Social Security for at least 35 years. Social Security benefits are calculated based on the 35 years in which you earn the most. If you don't work for at least 35 years, zeros are factored into the calculation, which decreases your payout. However, if you work for more than 35 years, a higher earning year will cancel out a lower earning year in the benefit calculation. To get the maximum possible Social Security payment, you should aim to work for at least 35 years. If you work for more than 35 years, you can further boost your Social Security payments, especially if you earn significantly more now than you did earlier in your career.

2. Earn more. Earning a higher salary can set you up for higher Social Security payments in retirement. Increasing your income by asking for a raise or earning income from a side job will increase the amount you receive from Social Security in retirement. However, there is a maximum amount of earnings that is subject to the Social Security tax and used to calculate Social Security retirement benefits, and this amount is adjusted for inflation each year. Earnings of up to $160,200 in 2023 are used to calculate your retirement payments. Earnings above $160,200 in 2023 are not taxed by

TIPS

payments

Social Security and will not be factored into your future Social Security payments in retirement.

3. Work until your full retirement age. You can start collecting Social Security payments as early as age 62, but you will receive smaller monthly payments unless you wait until your full retirement age to sign up for Social Security. The full retirement age is 66 for those born between 1943 and 1954. The full retirement age then gradually increases in two-month increments from 66 and two months for those born in 1955 to 66 and 10 months among those with a birth year of 1959. Age 67 is the full retirement age for everyone born in 1960 or later. Monthly payments are permanently reduced for people who sign up for Social Security before their full retirement age.

4. Delay claiming until age 70. You can increase your monthly Social Security payments if you wait until an older age to begin collecting your benefit. Payments will increase by about 8% for each year you delay claiming Social Security after your full retirement age up until age 70. After age 70, there is no additional benefit for waiting to sign up for Social Security. For example, if you are eligible for $1,000 per month in Social Security payments at your full retirement age of 67, you could increase your Social Security benefit to $1,240 per month by waiting until age 70 to start your Social Security payments. These higher payments last for the rest of your life and are also adjusted for inflation each year.

5. Claim spousal payments. If you're married, you can take steps to maximize your Social Security payments as a couple. Spouses may claim benefits based on their own work record or up to 50% of the higher earner's benefit, whichever is higher. The lower-earning or nonworking spouse needs to sign up for spousal payments at his or her full retirement age in order to get a 50% spousal payment. The

1. Worklonger

2. Earn more

3. Delayyourbenefit

spousal payment percentage is reduced for those who start benefits before full retirement age. If you were married for at least 10 years, you may also be able to claim Social Security benefits based on an ex-spouse's work record.

6. Include family. If you qualify for Social Security retirement or disability benefits and have dependent children under age 19, such as a biological child, stepchild or adopted child, you may be able to secure additional Social Security payments for them worth up to one half of your full retirement benefit to certain annual limits. Qualifying children generally must be under age 18 and unmarried, full-time high school students up to age 19 or severely disabled before age 22. A spouse who is caring for a dependent child under age 16 may qualify for additional payments. However, there is a limit on how much family members can receive that is generally 150% to 180% of the parent's full benefit amount.

7. Don't earn too much in retirement. If you sign up for Social Security before your full retirement age and continue to work, part of your Social Security benefit could be temporarily withheld. Social Security beneficiaries under full retirement age who earn more than $21,240 in 2023 will have $1 withheld for every $2 they earn above the limit. The year you turn your full retirement age, the earnings limit jumps to $56,520 and the penalty decreases to $1 withheld for every $3 earned above the limit. Once you turn your full retirement age, you can work and collect Social Security payments at the same time without penalty, and your Social Security benefit will be recalculated to give you credit for any benefit payments that were withheld in the past and your continued earnings.

8. Minimize Social Security taxes. You might have to pay taxes on part of your Social Security

4. Work with a specialized financial advisor

income in retirement. If the sum of your adjusted gross income, nontaxable interest and half of your Social Security benefit is more than $25,000 for individuals and $32,000 for couples, up to 50% of your Social Security benefit could be taxable. If these income sources top $34,000 ($44,000 for couples), income tax could be due on as much as 85% of your Social Security benefit. These tax thresholds are not adjusted for inflation each year.

9. Maximize survivor's benefits. When one member of a married couple passes away, the widow or widower may be eligible for survivor's payments. The surviving spouse can inherit the deceased spouse's benefit payment if it's more than his or her current benefit. For example, if a husband gets $2,000 per month from Social Security and his wife receives $1,500 per month, the wife would be paid $2,000 per month after her husband dies because her husband's payments were higher than hers. Retirees can boost the amount the surviving spouse will receive by delaying claiming Social Security up until age 70.

10. Make sure your work counts. Your Social Security earnings record lists all the earnings that have been reported to the Social Security Administration using your name and Social Security number. You can create a my Social Security account and download your Social Security statement annually to check that your earnings history and Social Security taxes paid have been recorded correctly by the Social Security Administration. You can compare your earnings history to your W-2 form, tax return or pay stub. Make sure you are getting credit for the taxes you're paying into the system. Your earnings history will be used to calculate your Social Security payments in retirement.

Capitol recap: Area legislators reflect on session

provision was stripped from the Tax bill during Conference Committee.

Rep. Patti Anderson District 33A

This session proved challenging for those of us who prioritize fiscal responsibility. We went in hoping to return the $17.5 billion surplus to taxpayers through large rebate checks, income tax cuts and the complete elimination of Social Security tax. However, the DFL’s narrowly-held trifecta not only spent the entire surplus but also raised taxes by an additional $10 billion.

Starting in July, the state budget will increase by 38%, all funded by your tax dollars.

While we did secure a partial Social Security tax exemption and $260 per-person rebate checks (subject to income limits), Minnesotans will face a wide array of new tax increases: hikes on sales tax and gas tax, a new delivery tax, a new payroll tax and significant fee increases. Most of the sales tax increase will go toward metro area transit and low-income housing. Businesses will also see tax increases, as our corporate income tax is now the highest in the nation.

The Democrat trifecta passed an agenda that differed significantly from their campaign promises. Most Democrat legislators hail from Minneapolis, St. Paul or inner-ring suburbs, and many openly identify as “Democratic Socialists.” This fringe agenda ultimately prevailed and will affect everyone in the state after July 1. Left-wing special interest groups’ wish-lists dominated the legislative process, and I believe Minnesotans will be shocked and angry when these policies are implemented.

As a republic, our 50 states serve as testing grounds for political ideas and governance. Minnesota’s policies now lean further left than California’s, and will serve as an experiment in “democratic socialism.” The outcome remains uncertain — perhaps piling on the same ill-advised policies will somehow right the ship, or perhaps it will only accelerate the population loss Minnesota has been experiencing. I’m betting on the latter. Supporters of this transformation believe these policies will attract like-minded individuals from across the country. Time will tell if they are productive taxpayers, since we are quickly running out of other people’s money. Elections have consequences — serious ones for Minnesotans.

Rep. Elliott Engen District 36A

The 2023 Minnesota legislative session can be summed up in one word: Expensive. With a nearly $18 billion surplus, the Legislature should have spent all session delivering family-focused tax relief. It is disappointing that taxes are instead set to increase by $10 billion.

I was disheartened by the unwillingness of the Majority party to work across the aisle. My bill to eliminate the sales tax on infant care items, like strollers and car seats, received unanimous support in both the House and Senate. Unfortunately, this

Our small Main Street businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. During COVID, these job creators struggled to keep their doors open amidst shutdowns. Ever since the COVID restrictions lifted, workforce shortages, supply chain issues and inflation have continued to impact their recovery. Instead of supporting our job creators, this session the Legislature passed a host of new mandates that will drive our Main Street businesses out of operation.

It’s time we put the needs of Minnesota families before the wish lists of state government. I am proud that despite all the new wasteful spending and burdensome mandates, I was able to deliver needed results for our community. I secured $13.5 million for clean water upgrades at the water treatment facility in Lino Lakes. My bills to crack down on fentanyl, provide mental health support for students and increase transparency in government spending also passed.

Republicans also secured $300 million in the final hours of session to save our nursing homes. Fifteen facilities in our state have closed since 2021, and many seniors are being forced to move hours away from their communities and loved ones. This critical funding will go towards saving our nursing homes and supporting the seniors they serve.

Minnesotans are more than willing to spend money to support those in need and ensure everyone has access to good roads and clean water. Unfortunately, this session is going to have severe consequences for family budgets. I will keep fighting for commonsense tax relief measures, and I hope my Democrat colleagues will join.

Rep. Brion Curran District 36B

On May 22, my first session serving in the Minnesota House came to an end. It was an honor to serve in the Legislature this year, and I am so proud of the work we did. Alongside our governor and DFL senators, we ended the gridlock and delivered on our promises to Minnesotans.

Our budget delivers the largest tax cut in state history with credits, rebates and other provisions to maximize benefits for workers, families and seniors. It also includes property tax cuts; full Social Security state income exemption for those earning less than $100,000 annually joint or $78,000 single; and a new and simplified Child & Working Family Tax Credit. These critical solutions are made possible by the state’s historic surplus and new revenue from measures that target the wealthiest corporations and individuals in the state.

You may have heard about our bill providing school meals to all students, ensuring no one has to learn on an empty stomach earlier this year—but that was just the start of our work to improve learning and child development. Our budget supports students and staff and stabilizes funding. It increases the general education formula and links it to inflation, reduces the Special Education and English Learner crosssubsidies, and makes much-needed investments in supporting students so every child can graduate and succeed.

I was proud to serve on the Public Safety and Judiciary committees, bringing my experience as a former officer to the table. We increased funding

for law enforcement, invested in supporting victims and enacted common-sense gun violence prevention measures like red-flag laws and universal background checks. I am also glad to report several provisions I authored are now law, including increased mental health treatment options for our first responders, limiting the use of no-knock warrants, and other important changes that make our communities safer and the judicial system more equal.

By using our one-time budget surplus to invest in education, public safety and more, I am proud of our work making our state better for all Minnesotans.

Rep. Mark Wiens District 41A

When I arrived in St. Paul this January, Minnesota had a nearly $18 billion surplus. I was excited to get to work crafting policies that would return that surplus to you in the form of permanent, meaningful tax relief as well as looking at ways to make government more efficient with your tax dollars. It was disappointing that when we gaveled out of session, the majority had not only spent all the surplus, they also pushed through nearly $10 billion in tax increases in order to pay for their out-of-control spending spree.

When families are paying higher prices for gas, groceries and energy bills, they don’t want 40% more government. They want real relief for their family budgets. It is a disappointment not to deliver permanent, meaningful tax relief for all Minnesotans this session.

I am pleased to report that I secured funding for Highway 36 improvements. This will have a huge impact and make this important highway safer and more effective for our community. I was also pleased to support and author provisions supporting veterans and first responders, ensuring those that served are not forgotten.

We also passed an Environment/Energy bill that will ban PFAS products and support local water needs for Lake Elmo. Our community has been negatively impacted by PFAS for years. My bill allows the DNR to issue water use permits to Lake Elmo and not reduce water use permit limits for the city of White Bear Lake was also included. This ensures Lake Elmo has enough water and it is a huge victory for our community.

In the final days of session, Republicans secured $300 million in funding to support our nursing homes. Seniors should not be forced to leave their communities to get the care they need. Without Republican intervention, nursing homes would not have received this critical funding which will be a lifeline for many facilities in Minnesota.

It is my honor to be your voice in St. Paul this session. Even though we are now in the interim, please continue to reach out with your questions, ideas and concerns. Have a great summer!

Editor’s note:

We did not hear from the following candidates by press deadline: Sen. Karin Housley, Sen. Heather Gustafson, Sen. Judy Seeberger, Sen. Tou Xiong, and Rep. Leon Lillie.

Rep. Mark Wiens

Rep. Patti Anderson

Each year, it is a tradition at Press Publications to touch base with local state representatives and senators to find out how they feel about the legislative session that just wrapped up.

Rep. Elliott Engen

Rep. Brion Curran

WATER GREMLIN: Permit includes transparency, building trust with community

and operating requirements that will better protect the public and hold the company, which manufactures lead battery terminals and fishing tackle, accountable, noted the MPCA spokesman, sitting in for the commissioner, who was out of the country.

“This has been a long time coming,” said MPCA Industrial Division Manager Doug Wetzstein, whose technical team helped write the permit. “I am glad to be here to see this happen. It’s a good permit. It’s protective of human health and the environment. It’s thorough and comprehensive. You don’t have to worry going forward.”

One of the permit’s stipulations is that Water Gremlin hold annual meetings with stakeholders, including NCCG and the township, to provide updates. The agency hopes meetings lead to better trust and transparency.

“The requirement for them to start to rebuild trust with you is important,” Wetzstein said. “This is the first time I’m aware that we’ve put that in a permit.

“The onus is on them to come back and start repairing things so a relationship is established in a positive way.”

NCCG member Leigh Thiel welcomed the opportunity to engage with Water Gremlin.

“It’s one of the things we’ve wanted since Day One,” she said. “They are a member of our community, but we feel we are at odds. We appreciate the chance to get to know them and understand their heart and for them to get to know us and understand how their decisions impact the community.”

Thiel also thanked the agency for signing the document in front of them. “It means the world to see that we have reached this point. We are glad to have participated in this process.”

An emotional Sheri Smith, also one of the original members, thanked MPCA for listening. “We are truly grateful for the thousands of hours you have put into this; hours that were unfortunately necessary because of actions of Water Gremlin,” she told the deputy commissioner.

NCCG member Kelly Tapkan called last week’s announcement “a landmark day” for White Bear. “What comes out of this situation will impact the state in

a positive way, as well,” she predicted, adding she hopes Water Gremlin will “embrace” the permit.

“Your input and advocacy have been critical,” Tester reiterated. “Your group taught this agency the importance of public engagement. It has made this a better permit and it has made conditions within the environment better and healthier within White Bear Township.”

Tester also announced that MPCA is denying Water Gremlin’s request for a contested case hearing. “They requested a hearing to evaluate and submit additional information. We don’t think that’s necessary,” he said.

The agency has held Water Gremlin accountable for “egregious violations” multiple times in the past, Tester reminded the group.

The long permit process required “tireless effort and vigilance” to complete on the part of MPCA; as part of that process, the agency adopted new protocols to improve how it evaluates and manages complicated permits in the future.

Numerous revisions made by Water Gremlin required follow-up verifications, new modeling scenarios and resulting rewrites. “We hope at the end of day the product is stronger and

Conditions of Water Gremlin’s air permit

MPCA added several new limits and operating requirements to Water Gremlin’s air permit, for which the company first applied for amendment in 2018, including:

The permit expires in five years instead of its current non-expiring status, which allows the agency to reevaluate the total facility on a regular basis.

• It includes more emission units, with specific emission and process limitations. As part of the permitting process, the MPCA evaluated more pollutants than are included in the existing permit. As a result, we established a greater number of emission limits and new operating requirements to limit pollution.

• The MPCA established emission limits and operating requirements based on site-specific analysis of air impacts (air modeling and air toxics assessment) and taking into account current ambient monitoring data.

In partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health, MPCA developed human health benchmarks for the solvent replacing TCE in compliance with the TCE ban mandate by the Legislature to ensure the replacement solvent will not cause adverse impacts.

• Water Gremlin must adhere to more stringent requirements to demonstrate compliance with the permit. Primary requirements include record-keeping, stack testing and reporting as well as backup methods to verify reliability of

the primary methods.

• New requirements call for continued ambient air monitoring of t-DCE, the solvent replacing TCE, around the facility. This monitoring will help ensure the effectiveness of the multiple permit conditions and protection of human health. Results must be reported regularly and will continue to be posted on MPCA’s website until Water Gremlin can demonstrate it is no longer necessary.

The agency will also continue to work with Ramsey County compliance inspectors as part of a joint powers agreement to monitor Water Gremlin and look for air, water and land issues.

County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, attending the MPCA permit announcement, promised to “do our job and hold their (Water Gremlin’s) feet to the fire.”

In its announcement posted online at www.pca.state.mn.us/local-sites-andprojects/white-bear-township-watergremlin, MPCA indicated it has not seen any levels of air pollution around the Water Gremlin site that would require immediate action since the company stopped using TCE.

MPCA said it will continue to review the monitoring data to determine if levels of volatile organic compounds at the Water Gremlin facility are significantly different than those seen at other air monitors in the Twin Cities.

CONTRIBUTED

that people feel we have done and are doing our job,” Tester said.

Among the findings of fact supporting the permit requirements, MPCA noted its discovery in 2018 that Water Gremlin had emitted more than 100 tons of a carcinogen called TCE, an amount exceeding the federal threshold. Agency modeling showed the toxic emissions exposed neighborhoods surrounding the facility to levels well above the healthbased value for TCE established by the Department of Health.

For its violations, Water Gremlin was hit with a $7 million penalty March 1, 2019, for the illegal release of the chemical, one of the largest civil penalties in MPCA enforcement history. The company replaced the solvent with t-DCE in 2019, again amending its permit

application. That product too, created a health concern that year when MPCA determined Water Gremlin did not have control over the active release of t-DCE.

TCE was eventually banned statewide in 2020, the first state to do so, thanks to efforts of both NCCG and area legislators.

“The company seems to be moving in the right direction with changes to their technology,” Wetzstein noted. “That is a positive outcome of this. Yes, it has taken awhile, but a lot of things have occurred over time. It is a permit that allows them to continue making those improvements using technology away from volatile organic compounds.”

Bradley Hartsell, President of Water Gremlin, issued the following statement: “Water Gremlin is reviewing the final permit terms and conditions that were recently issued and will operate its facility in alignment with permit requirements. We are committed to providing a safe facility for our employees and the community. We continue to practice best-in-class safe manufacturing operations and we are investing in environmentally sustainable manufacturing technologies that will continue to enhance our environmental stewardship programs and reduce our use of solvents and emissions.”

Resident Page Stevens, who is living with leukemia/non-Hodgkins lymphoma and attended the MPCA briefing with husband Denny, credited NCCG with “changing our White Bear community.

“I’m here with a grateful heart,” she said. “These dedicated women worked so hard on our behalf. The hours put into this are incredible.” Stevens then read a quote (attributed to the late anthropologist Margaret Mead) she felt was appropriate for the occasion: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Stakeholders in the Water Gremlin pollution saga gathered for a photo after the permit announcement at MPCA offices. From left, Doug Wetzstein, MPCA industrial division manager; Victoria Reinhardt, county commissioner; Leigh Thiel, NCCG; Ami Wazlawik, former state representative now with County Commissioner Nicole Frethem’s office; Doug Tester, MPCA deputy commissioner; Kelly Tapkan, NCCG; and Sheri Smith, NCCG.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

VADNAIS HEIGHTS ICE CREAM

SOCIAL

When: Wednesday, June 21

Where: Berwood Park

Details: Join neighbors for free ice cream, live music by Minty Hippo, and visit with representatives from community organizations.

Contact: cityvadnaisheights.com

GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF WHITE BEAR

LAKE

When: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, June 21 & 28

Where: White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 4th Street

Details: Guided walking tour of downtown White Bear Lake highlighting the history of the buildings, businesses, and organizations that make this community unique. Registration required.

Contact: whitebearhistory.org

FREE PRODUCE MARKET

When: 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, June 22

Where: White Bear Lake Senior Center, 2484 County Rd. F. East

Details: All are welcome to pick up free produce. Bring your own bag. Contact: 651-407-5310 or whitebearfoodshelf.org

‘HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL’

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 22 and Friday, June 23; 2 p.m. Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18

Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake

Details: Student actors with Children’s Performing Arts perform the story of a teenage misfit and a high school clique. Tickets information online. Contact: childrensperformingartsmn. org

WHITE RACISM AND PERSONAL IDENTITY

When: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22

Where: White Bear Center for the Arts, 4971 Long Ave.

Details: Discussion with Kennedy Simpson, part of the AHHA! Series. Free with registration. Contact: whitebeararts.org

VFW 1782 AUXILIARY RED CROSS BLOODMOBILE

When: 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Friday, June 23

Where: VFW 1782 parking lot, 4496 Lake Ave. S., White Bear Lake

Details: Donors must schedule online appointment at redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767. Donors receive a $10 gift card by email to a merchant of choice.

Contact: sharon6582@aol.com

FRIDAY WITH FIREFIGHTERS

When: 10 a.m.-noon Friday, June 23

Where: South White Bear Fire Station, 2240 County Road E

Details: Stop by for fun and safety

events appropriate for chldren, parents and grandparent. Contact: whitebearlake.org/ publicsafety

KIDS BIKE RODEO

When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, June 24

Where: White Bear Lake Public Works

Facility, 3950 Hoffman Road

Details: Kids and parents can come to get bikes tuned up, helmets fitted, rider safety information, demos, prizes, and ride through the course. Registration required. Contact whitebearlake.org/ publicsafety/webform/kids-bikerodeo

WHITE BEAR LAKE CLASSIC & VINTAGE

BOAT SHOW

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 24

Where: Lakefront of the White Bear Lake Shopping Center, 4391 Lake Avenue S.

Details: Display of classic and vintage boats-inboards, outboards, row boats and sailboats. Live fishing and “ask and expert” fisherman, vendors, nautical market, food, and vendors. Contact: facebook.com/ WhiteBearPress

ARTISAN AND VENDOR FAIR

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 24

Where: West Park, 2350 11th Street

Details: 75+ crafters, makers, boutiques, and vendors.

Contact: sunriseeventsandcraftshows. com

MANITOU TRIATHLON

When: 8:30 a.m. Sunday, June 25

Where: White Bear Lake County Park, 5050 Lake Ave.

Details: 4 race options include swim, bike and run of various lengths. Community barbecue follows race. Details and registration information online.

Contact: mmraces.com/manitou-tri

KEEGANS 5K FOR CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS AWARENESS

When: 9 a.m. Sunday, June 25

Where: West Park, 2350 11th Street

Details: Noncompetitive 5K run/walk along the lake organized by local family.

Contact: sites.google.com/site/ keegans5kforcranioawareness

BIRCHWOOD MUSIC IN THE PARK

When: 6-7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 25

Where: Tighe-Schmitz Park, Birchwood

Celebrations Wedding Announcement

Todd and Sheila Vollhaber are happy to announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Katie Vollhaber, to Ben Webster of Minneapolis. Please send your greetings to Kvollhaber@gmail.com.

Details: All are welcome to bring a lawn chair or blanket, picnic and beverage and listen to a different performance each week. Amy and Adams on June 25.

Contact: cityofbirchwood.com

BREAKFAST WITH THE MAYOR

When: 7-8 a.m. Monday, June 26

Where: Perkins, 1045 County Road E East, Vadnais Heights

Details: Join Vadnais Heights Mayor Mike Krachmer for breakfast and conversation the 4th Monday of each month. RSVP.

Contact: cityvadnaisheights.com/ mayor

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY 168 RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

When: 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday, June 26

Where: American Legion 168, 2210 3rd St. White Bear Lake

Details: Donors must schedule online appointment at redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767. Donors receive a $10 gift card by email to a merchant of choice.

Contact: sharon6582@aol.com

COMMUNITY ICE CREAM SOCIAL

When: 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, June 27

Where: Cerenity Senior Care. 4615 2nd Ave., White Bear Lake

Details: Ice cream and musical entertainment by “The Squires.”

Contact: 651-429-9654

DIRT: A MATTER OF REVERENCE COMMUNITY RECEPTION

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 27

Where: White Bear Center for the Arts, 4971 Long Ave.

Details: Reception and artist talk with Sandra Menefee Taylor about her exhibit, which runs through Aug. 5. Contact: whitebeararts.org

LUNCH AND TABLE GAMES

When: noon Wednesday, June 28

Where: Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 3676 Centerville Road, Vadnais Heights

Details: Bring a bag lunch and play table games with friends. Coffee provided. Contact: 651-204-6000 or cityvadnaisheights.com/seniors

VADNAIS HEIGHTS MUSIC IN THE PARK

When: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 28

Where: Bridgewood Park

Details: Bring a chair or blanket and meet up with neighbors for a free outdoor concert. Big Toe and the Jam performs.

Contact: cityvadnaisheights.com

CARD MAKING

When: 2:30-4:30p.m. And 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 29

Where: White Bear Lake Community Health Club, 1430 Highway 96 E.

Details: Free card-making event. Two sessions. Sign up online.

Contact: form.jotform. com/231586946483167

ONGOING EVENTS

MAHTOMEDI AREA FARMERS MARKET

When: 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, June 24 through Sept. 30

Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 109 Mahtomedi Ave.

Details: Local growers, artisans, community resources.

Contact: ci.mahtomedi.mn.us

MARKETFEST

When: 6-9 p.m. Thursdays, through July 27

Where: Downtown White Bear Lake

Details: Community summer festival with 160+ food and vendor booths, live music, car show, kids activities, specials at local merchants. Theme week is History Night.

Contact: marketfestwbl.com

MIDWEST SKI OTTERS SHOWS

When: 6 p.m. Sundays, through August

Where: Little Goose Lake

Details: White Bear-based team of 120 amateur skiers performs weekly throughout the summer.

Contact: skiotter.com

BEARS BUILDING COMMUNITY EXHIBIT

When: Through Aug. 1

Where: White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 Fourth Street

Details: Interactive exhibit highlighting the 1920’s as a turning point when White Bear transitioned from a summer destination to a yearround community.

Contact: whitebearhistory.org

White Bear Lake school board prepares for coming year

At the conclusion of the school year, the White Bear Lake School Board tackled a number of items to prepare for the 2023-24 school year during its meeting June 12.

The board took action on the audio/ visual package bid for fine arts and theater.

“We use the best value procurement for this process, as we’ve used for other projects in the past and our experience with AV is that it really matters, the quality of the installers. We decided that best value would be the best approach here,” said Tim Wald, assistant superintendent for finance and operations.

He said that a best value bid is different than low bid procurement because it measures the value that a contractor brings to the project. Not only is the price of the project bid considered, but also the contractor’s talent and experience.

Wald said the recommendation is to go with Video Services Incorporated with a total project bid of $986,220, which is $164,000 below budget. The board approved the bid.

Board member Dr. Marge Newmaster asked whether the original theater is having improvements made to it, considering a new theater is in the works.

Wald said that it’s in good shape and that it will continue to be used but noted that it has about half the capacity that the new theater will have.

“It’s large enough to fit an entire class

in so we could have a class meeting or class presentation in it,” Wald said.

The board also received the radon testing results from Wald and Dan Roeser, director of building operations. While radon testing is not required in Minnesota, it is encouraged and the district opted to have it done this past spring. Prior to that it had not been tested since 2018.

Roeser said they used Atlas, the district’s health safety consultant, to administer the testing, place the devices and send them to a lab for analysis.

“I’m happy to say, like in 2018, all of our test results were well below any action levels set forth by the state,” Roeser said.

He noted that the only school building that wasn’t tested was North Campus, due to the ongoing construction there.

In his superintendent report, Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak congratulated the school’s recent graduates. He also recognized this year’s retirees who represent a combined 596 years of service.

He shared that beginning this fall, one breakfast and one lunch per day will be free of charge for all students. Families were recently emailed information regarding remaining meal account funds, which will roll over and be available for a la carte purchases.

Board members asked questions about how the free meals will affect the budget, but at this time it is still unknown because it’s unknown how

many students will take advantage of it.

Kazmierczak also noted there will be opportunities to see district representatives at Marketfest this summer. He encouraged people to stop by the district’s booth on Third Street. for pencils, bear paw tattoos and conversation.

Finally, Kazmierczak introduced Julian Stanke, who will officially join the district July 1 as an elementary principal at Birch Lake. Stanke comes to the district from South St. Paul Schools where he served as assistant principal at South St. Paul Middle School.

In other news:

• Students in all state band, boys and girls golf, boys and girls track and field, softball, adapted softball and girls ultimate frisbee were recognized.

• The board took action on the nutrition services milk products contract for the 2023-24 school year. St. Paul Beverage Solutions had the option to extend it an additional year, but opted not to due to rising costs. The district took bids for a milk provider approving St. Paul Beverage Provider, which was the low bidder at $245,829.

• The board approved the 2023-24 workers compensation agreement with a 5.5 percent increase.

Brooke Wohlrabe

STUDENT NEWS

The following students graduated from a college or university in Spring 2023:

• Brescia University: Noah McClain of White Bear Lake, Bachelor of Science, computer science, magna cum laude.

• Cedarville University: Noelle Norman of White Bear Lake, undergraduate degree, worship.

• College of St. Scholastica: Lauren Jurek of White Bear Lake, Bachelor of Arts, marketing; Makenna Kroska of White Bear Lake, Bachelor of Science, nursing; Sonja Thorson of White Bear Lake, CERT, teaching.

• Iowa State University: Michael Miller of Mahtomedi, Bachelor of Science, mechanical engineering, magna cum laude; Lindsey Reyes of Mahtomedi, Bachelor of Fine Arts, integrated studio arts, honors program and summa cum laude; Lauren Lawless of White Bear Lake, Bachelor of Architecture-professional degree, cum laude; Ally Meslow of White Bear Lake, Bachelor of Science, marketing, with honors; Jack Rapheal of White Bear Lake, Bachelor of Science, mechanical engineering, cum laude.

Upcoming events:

22 Prompts to Make Your Story Come

Alive

• Saturday, June 24, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

• White Bear Center for the Arts

• Using questions, single words, phrases, and images, this all-genre writing workshop will keep your pen moving at a rapid pace.

Intergenerational

Fridays

Capturing Summer through Plein Air Painting

quick and responsive, changing as the light and clouds shift. It requires a fierce concentration and, perhaps above all, simply a love of being outdoors.

• Fridays, June 16-August 18, 10 a.m.-noon.

• White Bear Center for the Arts

• Join WBCA this summer on Fridays for handson projects, storytelling, movement, and many more gallery-themed activities. This is perfect for grandparents and grandchildren.

Summer Friday

• Friday, June 23, noon3:30 p.m.

• White Bear Center for the Arts

• Stop by WBCA’s outdoor campus for summer fun! There will be lawn games, art projects, and live music.

kayak have passed us by and the bittersweet smell of fall hits the air.

I spoke with plein air painter Joshua Cunningham as he was heading out the door to paint. He was gathering paintbrushes and contingency rain gear as we chatted about the very thing he was about to embark on.

“The most beautiful part of plein air painting is actually its accessibility for everybody,” Joshua said. “All you need is the willingness to go outside with as little as a piece of paper and a pen, or a paintbrush and a canvas and some paint, and connect through that medium to the world

I was talking with him to learn more about his thoughts on White Bear Center for the Arts’ Into Nature: Plein Air Competition happening this August. Joshua will be this year’s judge,

lens of the artist. “As a judge the most exciting part is being the first person who gets to pore over all this artwork that didn’t exist five or six days

New Ford Family Gallery Exhibit Celebrates Soil

When you visit White Bear Center for the Arts’ Ford Family Gallery next, you might be surprised to see what’s on the floor. The gallery will soon be covered in a thin layer of dirt. Dirt: A Matter of Reverence is an installation exhibit by artist Sandra Menefee Taylor that will be on display from June 26 to August

5. Sandra Menefee Taylor’s work

is propelled by the deep interest she has for matters of land, body, and spirit. She chooses materials that bring their own meaning, and looks for voices that connect, like poet-farmer Wendell Berry, who says, “Soil is the one thing we all have in common.”

“I had the good fortune to be born in farm country,” Sandra said, “able to observe closely the

processes of life: birth, growth, and death. This good fortune also cemented into my makeup the use of the hand, the ‘maker,’ applying the skills and labors needed to sustain my living self and spirit.”  You can learn more about the exhibit, and hear from Sandra, in the Community Reception happening on Tuesday, June 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Visit

or two of vulnerable thinking, or openheartedness, you kind of realize it’s everything.”

Ellie Fuelling, WBCA Communications Manager

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Finding summertime fun at local festivals

Above: A group of dancers sing along to one of the soulful vintage songs that the Free and Easy band played during the Manitou Days Beach Dance that followed the annual parade.

At right: Ken Furchtenicht and Justin, Broderick, Jozie, Avary and Kelly Wetzel pose with “Fred the Bear,” which was among the award winning entries in the White Bear Center for the Arts sponsored Creatures and Sandcastles contest.

READ REUSE RECYCLE

If every person takes one small step toward being more conscientious of the environment, the collective effort will change the planet.

651-407-1200 presspubs.com

Above: Honorary Manitou Days Chairs Si and Vicki Ford can be seen behind Sasha, an animated bear sculpture created by artist Kim Ford, during the Manitou Days Grande Parade.

At left: Volunteer of the year and Vietnam war veteran Darryl LeMire and his wife Sandy ride along the parade route in a 1951 M38 classic military Jeep driven by Joe Remley. Find more photos online at presspubs.com.

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a Classic or Vintage Boat? (Outboard, Inboard, or Non-Motor)

Join us at the WBL Boat Show on June 24th, 2023. Call 651-407-1200 to reserve a spot

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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY all real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Ho using Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preferen ce, limitation or discriminat ion based on race co lo r, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or nationa l origin, or an intention, to make any such preferen ce limitation or discriminat ion.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 livin g with parents or legal cu stod ians; pregnant women and peop le securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not kn owingly accept any ad vertising for real esta te which is in violation of the law.

Our readers ar e hereby informed that all dw ellings advertised in this newsp ap er are available on an equal oppor tunity basis To complain of discrimination call HUD toll free: 1-800-669-9 777. The toll-free number for hearing impaired is 1-800-927-92

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City attorney contract could extend to 5 years

Proposed amendments to the White Bear Lake City Charter Commission include correcting references to municipal elections, removing gender-specific references and amending the term length of city attorney appointments.

Mayor Dan Louismet said he and City Manager Lindy Crawford brought the term length to staff’s attention because of negotiations with the city attorneys.

“It became quite clear that entering into a multiyear contract was financially advantageous to the city to have a longer-term contract than one year, and that really was the genesis for it,” Louismet said. “It also provides more efficiency with city staff to be able to deal with a contract like

SCHOOL BRIEFS

that less frequently than every single year.”

Marc Aune, vice president of the White Bear Lake City Charter Commission, said, “We agreed, by a vote of nine to two, that the council should have the power to appoint an attorney for multiple years, but not to exceed five years.”

The second proposed amendment is the use of some gender-specific terms such as “foreman.”

“Deleting these terms alone would not create a material change in the meaning of their respective sections,” Aune said. “And it seemed like the appropriate time to remove them.”

According to Aune, the third amendment involves references to

District announces administrative changes

White Bear Lake Area Schools recently announced administrative changes that will be in effect for the start of the 2023-24 school year.

Cynthia Mueller, who began in the district in 2017 as principal at Otter Lake Elementary, will serve as a full-time principal on special assignment as a member of the districtwide teaching and learning team for the 2023-24 school year. In this role, she will provide instructional leadership through collaboration with principals and instructional coaches to support student literacy outcomes and the implementation of the district’s strategic plan.

Current WBLAHS - North Campus principal

specific state statutes.

“We realized that an amendment to a state statute could ultimately confuse the reading of our charter and a general reference to the statutes could be made without changing the context,” Aune said. “Therefore, we wanted to remove these references to specific state statutes.”

Crawford noted that the second reading of the charter amendments is scheduled on Tuesday, June 27, at the City Council meeting.

“It does require a unanimous five to zero vote to approve any charter amendments,” Crawford said. “So we are looking for all of your attendance at that meeting.”

Noelle Olson

Ang Nelson will become principal at Otter Lake Elementary. Current WBLAHS-South Campus Associate Principal Carrie Barth will fill Nelson’s position as North Campus principal on a one-year assignment for the 2023-24 school year, and her current position will be rehired. When the unified high school houses all grade 9-12 students in the fall of 2024, Russell Reetz will serve as principal. Dion Harriman will continue in his assistant principal position, supporting construction projects during the 2023-24 school year. Joe Held will continue serving as an associate principal.

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Hockey Day proceeds tagged for spiffing up outdoor rinks

Co-chairs of January’s mega hockey event presented a $100,000 check to the White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association last week. The only requirement is that the money be used to enhance the area’s outdoor rinks.

“We wanted to use the money for something tangible,” said Corey Roberts, the downtown business owner who led the push to bring Hockey Day Minnesota (HDM) to White Bear. “We can see where the money went and experience the improvements.”

Speaking of experience, the three HDM co-chairs: Roberts, Nick Guzzo and Jon Anderson, said they were thrilled with how the event turned out. They figure 15,000 to 16,000 people experienced the multiday hockey extravaganza at Polar Lakes Park.

“We want to thank our partners and sponsors who stepped up to make it a success,” Roberts said, adding they couldn’t have pulled it off without the 400-some volunteers.

The township, too, was “awesome” to work with,

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Auto dealer relocates to Hoffman’s Corner

Long’s Auto Place recently opened at Hoffman’s Corner, County Road E and Highway 61 in White Bear Lake.

Long’s Auto reconditions and

added Anderson. “It was a big ‘ask,’ and they supported us. The space allowed us room to do what we wanted to do.”

The only remaining item on their to-do list is return the park’s athletic fields to pre-Hockey Day condition, an effort that is underway.

The committee was happy with the six-figure amount being donated to the hockey association, especially when costs for the event were 20 to 25% higher than expected, Roberts said.

Organizers wanted the experience to be “top notch,” they added, and “more than a game,” to borrow MHD’s motto, so they didn’t skimp on music and special add-ons like snow sculptures and ice bar.

If they had to change anything, the co-chairs said they would have ordered a larger hospitality tent. It was quite the party.

A 14-minute wrap-up of HDM 2023 can be viewed on YouTube. See www.youtube.com/ watch?v=kEFfBCsAMR0&t=369s

Debra Neutkens

sells preowned vehicles. The company has been in business since 1981, and was formerly located on Rice Street in St. Paul.

Owners Jim Long and Justin Long say they are known for their customer service and a nopressure approach, and are also one of the highest-rated dealers in the Twin Cities.

For more information, visit their location at 3555 Hoffman Road or call 651-488-8400.

Change of leadership at local manufacturer

Hugo-based Wilson Tool International, the largest independent manufacturer of tooling systems for punch presses, press brakes and punch and die components for the stamping and tableting industries, announces the retirement of its current chief executive officer.

Current CEO Brian Robinson

will retire this fall after 30 years of service, including 16 years as CEO. Paul Johnson is transitioning into the role of CEO. He brings 36 years of experience in the industry as a machinist, manager, vice president of operations and president of corporate development.

Chronic pain treatment coming to Northeast Metro

Twin Cities Pain Clinic will open its fifth metro area location in Maplewood on July 11. The new clinic will be located at 1725 Legacy Parkway E., northwest of the Maplewood Mall.

The Twin Cities Pain Clinic helps people find relief from a wide variety of chronic pain conditions.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, go to twincitiespainclinic.com or call 952-841-2345.

DEBRA NEUTKENS

Co-chairs of 2023 Hockey Day Minnesota, from left, Jon Anderson, Corey Roberts and Nick Guzzo, presented a $100,000 check to the White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association. Board member Jessica Jacksie accepted the Hockey Day proceeds on the association’s behalf.

OBITUARIES

Wendell Norman (Norm) Swenson

Age 77, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota passed away peacefully on June 2, 2023 surrounded by love and his family.

Norm will be remembered for the way he handled his tough journey with Parkinson’s Disease in true “Norm Fashion”: with dignity and grace. He will be remembered for his one liners, his inclusive nature and how he always rooted for the underdog. Norm will be remembered for his selfless acts, his genuine concern for others and his absolute dedication to family.

Norm was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 12, 1945. He grew up in St. Peter, Minnesota, later moved to Rochester, Minnesota and graduated from John Marshall High School in 1963. After graduation, Norm attended Gustavus Adolphus College then served in the National Guard. Norm spent 40 years in the banking business, starting in 1966 at First Bank Bloomington Lake in Minneapolis, Minnesota (where he met the love of his life), and his path eventually led him to retire in 2006 while at Franklin Bank in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Norm loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends outdoors; hunting, fishing, boating, camping on the St. Croix River, and searching for shells and sea glass on the Florida coastline, but his heart belonged “Up North” at the cabin on Johnson Lake. “No-Wake” HHs on the pontoon, annual pig roasts, pulling kids on skis behind the Boston Whaler, or blazing bonfires in the middle of January were all on Norm’s “time well spent” checklist.

Norm was preceded in death by his parents Wendell and Connie Swenson, his brother David Swenson and Brother-In-Law Robert Blix. Norm will be lovingly remembered by his dedicated wife of 55 years Jane, his children Carrie (Chris) Montgomery, Amy (Kris) Magnusson, his grandchildren: Ben, Gus, Emiline, Elsa and Oskar, his sister-in-law Jeanne Swenson, brother Stephen (Mary) Swenson, Zaila Michaelson, his nieces and nephews, his cousins and many, many wonderful friends.

Norm’s family would like to thank HealthPartners Hospice Team and Bright Star Home Care for all their support and dedication. A celebration of life is planned on Monday, July 17 at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, Minnesota. Visitation at 11 a.m., service at noon. In lieu of flowers, Norm’s family requests donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation of Minnesota or the donor’s choice in Norm’s name.

Mark Thury

Age 75, of Birchwood. Service were held Tuesday June 20, at 11 a.m. at ST. ANDREW’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 900 Stillwater Rd, Mahtomedi. With visitation one hour prior. Memorials preferred to St. Andrew’s Church or Merrick, Inc. Private family burial. Arrangements by Honsa Family Funeral Home.

Diane (Pettee) Hansen

Age 80, of Vadnais Heights.

Loving wife, mother and grandmother went home to be with her Lord and Savior, surrounded by her husband & children, on June 13, 2023, after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer March 2019. She grew up in Lakeland and the east side of St Paul and has lived in 5 different Minnesota cities, as well as Romania. Diane married Lloyd Hansen June 19, 1964, whom she met at East Park Baptist Church when she was 15. Survived by her husband Lloyd of 58 years; her 3 children, LyNae Marshall (Erick), Lloyd Jr. Hansen (Kristin) and Staci Wittner (Steve): grandsons Noah, Jared, Austin, Eli Hansen and Luke Wittner. Diane loved to: talk with others about Jesus; spend time with her beloved grandsons, family & many friends; write countless cards and letters of encouragement to everyone and help others. Diane leaves a lasting legacy of sacrificial love and giving. She was well loved by friends and family for her support, empathy, faithfulness and wise counsel. Her deep desire was to honor Jesus Christ in all she did.

Celebration of Life Service: Saturday, July 8, 11 a.m. Service and 10 a.m. Visitation, with a luncheon immediately following, all at North Haven Church, 2240 15th Ave E, North St Paul (No internment). Memorials to American Cancer Society or World Vision.

Susan Elizabeth Tubman

(nee: Ayde), age 67 of White Bear Lake.

Loving Wife, Mom, Nana, Daughter & Sister, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 11, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer. Preceded in death by father, Leonard Lester Ayde, siblings, Robert Ayde, Clara Ayde Lucking, Joseph Ayde. Survived by loving husband of 42 years, Charlie; daughter, Jessica (Bill) Rowe; grandchildren, Brandon, Abby, Augie, Max; mother, Mary LaValle Ayde; siblings, Kathleen (Gary) Gullikson, Leonard Ayde, Jeffrey Ayde, Thomas Ayde, Marilyn (Howard) Nelson, Steven Ayde, Richard Ayde, Annette (Dan) Winberg; many nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends.

A celebration of Susan’s life 4-8 p.m. with a service at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 22 at Roberts Family Funeral Home, Forest Lake. Private interment at St. Genevieve Catholic Cemetery, Centerville. Roberts Family Funeral Home 651-464-4422 RobertsFamilyFH.com

Artist featured at Oakdale Discovery Center

BY MERRINA O’MALLEY PRESS INTERN

Sylvia Benson, a teacher at the White Bear Center for the Arts, has art featured in an exhibit at the Oakdale Discovery Center.

The longtime Mahtomedi resident has been an artist for over 50 years, and has taught numerous classes in the community.

Benson currently specializes in the interplay of encaustics (an art form created by melting beeswax at 220 degrees) and Venetian plaster, but has been doing watercolor since the ’70s.

Her most recent exhibition features an array of works that play with texture and elements of the natural world. “It has a lot

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of nature,” said Benson, “a lot of birch trees and flowers.”

When asked about her inspiration, she credits her students. “The students that I have,” she said, “they can be very inspirational.” She also recalled her travels to France, and time spent painting in Monet’s famous garden at Giverny, where she first encountered encaustic art.

As a teacher and artist, Benson believes that art makes the world a more beautiful place to be. “The arts are really the highest (form) of communication that society can obtain.” she said.

Benson’s exhibit will be featured at the Oakdale Discovery Center until the end of June.

Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes. CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $16.32-$29.50 per month and business services are $34.61-$48.61 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request.

CenturyLink participates in the Lifeline program, which makes residential telephone or qualifying broadband service more affordable to eligible lowincome individuals and families. Eligible customers may qualify for Lifeline discounts of $5.25/month for voice or bundled voice service or $9.25/month for qualifying broadband or broadband bundles. Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal benefits if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs. The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or qualifying broadband service per household, which can be either a wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload to qualify.

CenturyLink also participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households with a discount on broadband service. The ACP provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

For both programs, a household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Services are not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in these programs. Consumers who willfully make false statements to obtain these discounts can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from these programs.

If you live in a CenturyLink service area, visit https://www.centurylink.com/aboutus/community/ community-development/lifeline.html for additional information about applying for these programs or call 1-800-201-4099 with questions.

WBCA instructor Sylvia Benson displays her encaustic artwork.

Zephyrs lacrosse: Lose 2 at state after toppling Ponies in section

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

After upsetting Stillwater for the Section 4 championship the Mahtomedi lacrosse team lost to Prior Lake and Moorhead in the state tournament and finished 12-6.

“We had a fun year,” coach Michael Narow said. “It was tough to lose

two at state, but we finally slayed the dragon, beating Stillwater, after losing them in the section finals the last two years. That was our best game of the year.”

The Zephyrs defeated the top-seeded Stillwater Ponies 11-7,  led by Tommy Peer in goal stopping 12 of 19 shots.

Eric Buttke notched four goals while Jackson Johnson, Isaac Wendorff and

GRANDMA’S MARATHON FINISHERS

Grandma’s Marathon, a 40 kilometer race from Two Harbors to Duluth, had 6,685 finishers. The top local runner was Michael Peterman, 44, of Mahtomedi, in a time of 2:52:02, for 478th overall, 388th among men, and 20th of 439 in men’s age 40-44. The other finishers with White Bear Lake or Mahtomedi addresses include:

WHITE BEAR LAKE

Men — Ryan Adams, 40 (3:11:01); Steve Anderson, 39 (3:50:32); Jon Duxbury, 30 (4:57:49); Matias Erickson, 23 (3:40:53); Spencer Kramer, 27 (4:01:57); Brian Lahr, 42 (3:22:42); Tyler McMahon, 31 (4:17:41); Allen Menk, 19 (3:28:35); Robert Nelson, 63 (4:32:31); Zach Roberts, 22 (3:35:56); Mitchell Winters, 27 (4:09:03); Todd Wybierala Jr. 27 (3:02.49); Anthony Yares, 35 (4:55:40); Frankie Zobitz, 26 (5:08:43)

Women Leighlin Ahlstrom, 25 (3:16:15); Sara Baumgard, 28 (3:45:05); Berit Borstad, 24 (4:37:27); Kathryn Piha, 41 (4:03:33); Madelyn Zobitz, 26 (5:08:42)

MAHTOMEDI

Men — Michael Peterman, 44 (2:52:02); Ryan Olson, 27 (4:20:35); Earl Skrip, 50 (6:14:32) Women Eleanor Mieloch, 23 (6:55:27); Alexis Miller, 27 (4:09:02)

Nolan Dimitri had two each and Eric Granec one.

In state tournament action, Prior Lake tripped the Zephyrs 10-6, led by Jack Tocko with three goals and Max Anderson two, while their goalie Luke Bloomer foiled nine of 15 Zephyr shots.

For the Zephyrs, Dimitri and Isaac Wendorff had two goals each, and Landon Kruse and Jack Roehrich one

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each. Peer made eight saves. Moorhead edged Mahtomedi 6-4 in the consolation round at White Bear Lake. Peer foiled 16 of 22 shots, but the Spuds limited the Zephyrs to one goal each by Owen Tacheny, Dimitri, Wendorff, and Kruse.

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Zephyrs runners-up in state baseball tournament

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Mahtomedi earned a shot at its third baseball championship in six years with two well-pitched state tournament wins, but the Zephyrs were thwarted by New Prague 5-3 in the Class 3A title game at CHS Field in St. Paul.

The Zephyrs (19-7) toppled Byron 3-0 behind Ethan Felling, and Grand Rapids 3-2 behind Seth Nelson, to reach the finals. New Prague (24-3) snagged its first state title. The Trojans lived up to its billing as the No. 1 team in the regular season and top seed in the tournament.

“I don’t think any of us were satisfied at all,” said Felling about the second-place finish. “New Prague is a very good team. They can really hit the ball, but we were in that game all the way. It was a really fun season, a great ride, but we weren’t satisfied. We’ll have to get back to work for next season.”

Coach Rob Garry praised his team for an excellent section and state run.

“Just proud of how our guys handled themselves throughout the tournament. They are a great group of young men, with some elite senior leaders,”  Garry said. “Our program is better because of the work and commitment of this group. We also have a strong group of underclassmen coming back.”

Against Byron (18-8), Felling allowed just three singles, one walk, and two hit-by-pitches while striking out 10 batters, five of them in the last two innings. “It was an honor to be chosen to

pitch the first game,” said the sophomore lefty who usually plays center field. Clocked as fast as 93 mph this season, Felling got batters out with fastballs, changeups and curves. Byron’s Quentin Holmes also pitched well (five hits, two walks, five strikeouts).

Singles by Josh Donna and Max Strecker, good bunts by Carter Schmitz and Charlie Barre (the latter a suicide squeeze) and a throwing error gave Mahtomedi 2-0 lead in the fourth. In the fifth, Seth Nelson blasted a long double to left that knocked in Jacob Johnson, who had singled.

Against Grand Rapids (17-12), Nelson spaced out six hits and two walks, and struck out six. The senior right-hander out dueled Dominic Broberg,

who also yielded just six hits and two walks. Mahtomedi scored twice in the first with RBI’s by Nelson on a sacrifice fly and Donna on a double. Johnson’s RBI single made it 3-0 in the second. Broberg blanked the Zephyrs the rest of the way. The Thunderhawks closed the gap in the fifth with two runs, the first the Zephyrs erred on a bunt, and the second on a sac fly.

Those wins landed the Zephyrs in CHS Field, home of the St. Paul Saints, where huge color photos of each batter appear on the scoreboard, among other perks. “The environment there, the way they prepped the field, all the things they do for you, they make you feel like major leaguers for a day,” said Felling.

The Trojans were sparked by Nolan Eischens, who knocked in three runs with a double and single, then notched the last four outs to get the save. He relieved Nick Giesen, who threw 5 2/3 innings (eight hits, three runs, five strikeouts) for the win.

The Trojans had six hits, six walks and five stolen bases against four Mahtomedi pitchers: Donna, the starter (who took the loss), Strecker, Tommy Muetzel and Miles Morris. An error on a possible double play ball in the fifth proved crucial as the next two batters knocked in three runs. A fielding highlight was second baseman Charlie Barre turning an inning-ending double play on a bouncer with bases loaded.

Schmitz singled home the Zephyrs first run. After they fell behind 5-1, Johnson, who was 5-for-9 in the tournament, crashed a long two-run double in the sixth with two outs, closing the gap

Young Zephyr golf squad places 4th at state, Wilson leads

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Mahtomedi captured fourth place, one stroke out of third place, in the state Class 3A golf tournament last week, with a lineup including just one senior.

The Zephyrs were led by sophomore Jacob Wilson, tied for 11th place with 73-73-146, two over par, and sophomore Thomas Meader, 20th with 75-74-149, five over par.

“I was very proud of my team’s effort,” said coach Jeff Poeschl, who made his second state appearance of 2023, also being coach of the state champion hockey team. “We were able to shave seven strokes off of our team score from day one to day two, leaving us just one stroke out of third.”

Edina was team champion by 19 strokes. Team scoring at

Bunker Hills in Coon Rapids was Edina 584, Maple Grove 603, Eastview 610, Mahtomedi 611, Rochester Mayo 616, Alexandria 618, Minnetonka 630 and Anoka 642. Jake Birdwell, Spring Lake Park junior, was individual champion with 66-70-136. The Zephyrs turned in a 309 on Tuesday and 302 on Wednesday. Sophomore Riley McGrane shot 80-80-160, sophomore Tony Kurn 81-82163, senior Ethan Splett 90-75165 and junior Micah Schmidt 84-90-174.

Poeschl praised Wilson and Meader for being “very solid  both days” and was  impressed with “how my young team handled the pressure, the ups and downs of the tournament.”

But he also singled out the lone senior, Splett, for his remarkable 15-shot improvement in the final 18.

“His round went sideways on day one, shooting 90. He came back with great resolve on day two and fired a 75.  What a great way for a senior captain to finish his high school career.”

Wilson said he was not putting at his best, and missed a few shots, but overall, he regarded two 73s at Bunker Hills as “pretty solid.” One highlight was his recovery from the trees on a short par five, No. 4, on Wednesday. “I had to punch out sideways into the fairway,” he said. “From there I was 240 yards out, hitting three, and hit a hybrid shot to four feet to make a wild birdie.”

The whole experience was stimulating, he said. “Just being able to play in the final group both days in the team play, and having big crowds watching, was great. Being

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Tommy Peer

Tommy Peer, Mahtomedi lacrosse senior goalkeeper, was the key player in the Zephyrs’ 12-6 season and its drive to the Section 4 championship, his coach said. “Tommy was our MVP. He made some fantastic saves,” said Michael Narow, adding that the goalie kept the Zephyrs in every game, including two at state that they lost. Peer stopped 67 percent of shots on goal (177 of 264) in the season, a very high percentage in lacrosse. He has signed with a Division II team, Alabama-Huntsville.

“Your

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able to play under a bit of pressure was also fun.”

Meader had a great start Tuesday with birdies on the first two holes, which he reflected, “helped our team out, knowing someone was possibly going low, and that made everyone else more comfortable.”

Another highlight was sinking a birdie put on No. 12 Wednesday. He said his 149 was “just OK, not my best,” and he hopes to improve on that in 2024.

About next year, Meader said, “We for sure have a shot at winning it next year. All of our guys except one are returning and it leaves us in a good spot to just get better and better.”

Wilson agreed “I think that next year we can definitely make a run at the state title … If all six guys on our team bring their best stuff.”

Zephyr girl golfers 8th in state meet

Mahtomedi’s young girls golf team placed eighth in the Class 3A state tournament at Bunker Hills. Team scoring was Maple Grove 625, Wayzata 635, Minnetonka 648, Detroit Lakes 653, Lakeville South 675, Elk River 679, East Ridge 699 and Mahtomedi 701. The Zephyrs shot 354 Tuesday and 347 Wednesday. Freshman Lexie McGrane led the Zephyrs, shooting 78-84-162 for 29th place among 88 entrants. Eighth-grader Reagan Juhl shot 87-84-171, senior Maggie McCarty 94-90-184, eighth-grader Mya Wilson 96-89-185, freshman Lily Carlson 9591-186 and junior Sadie Stembridge 100-94-194. The Zephyrs won a threeteam Section 4AAA tournament to qualify. Coach Matt Huss said it was a great experience for the Zephyrs to have all six players in the state

tourney. It was a fun season, he said, adding that the girls are “even better people than golfers.”

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Mahtomedi’s Charlie Barre threw to first base for a double play after forcing out New Prague’s Aiden Jackson in the championship game.

Thomas Meader of the Zephyrs placed 20th at state with 149.

Mahtomedi ninth-grader Lexie McGrane shot 162 for 29th place at Bunker Hills.

Bear 7th-grader 28th in state golf

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

A 5-foot-4, 108-pound, 13 year old White Bear Lake golfer made a strong showing as the youngest player in the state Class 3A tournament.

Easton Fiddle, the lone seventh-grader in the field, shot 74 on Tuesday and 78 on Wednesday for a 152 total, eight over par, good for 28th place among 88 state qualifiers.

To qualify for state, Fiddle, a left-hander who also plays hockey, shot the same 152 score (77-75) at Bunker Hills for eighth place in Section 4AA.

“Easton is the youngest golfer since I have coached to make it to state,” said longtime Bears coach Craig

Nasvik. “Quite an accomplishment for any golfer, but to be only 13 and just a seventh grader. Wow!”

“Nothing ever bothers him.” Nasvik assessed. “He has such a mature reaction to the highs and lows that come with this game of golf.” Fiddle has an understanding of course management beyond his years, the coach added; he seldom gets in trouble, and when he does, is good at picking his best options.

On No. 7 West on Tuesday, Fiddle’s second shot was 165 yards from the left side, into the wind. He landed five from the cup with a seven iron, then sank a birdie putt. That was one of the highlights in two days of steady golf.

Fiddle drives 260 to 270 yards, which should improve markedly as he grows. He averaged 76 strokes this year, with a low of 73 that won the JV conference opener.

Nasvik knows the family well. Easton’s brother, Mason, eight years older, made multiple state tournament trips in a varsity career starting in eighth grade.

“Easton played in our middle school program as a sixth grader, and I knew from his accomplishments there that he was ready if he wanted to try out for the team this year,” Nasvik said.

Prior to becoming a varsity golfer, Fiddle won a few age-group tournaments. He placed first in the 2018 mini tour for age 7-9, and placed first in the 2021 Junior PGA Prep Tour for age 10-12

In the Suburban East Conference this season, Fiddle ranked 18th, nabbing the last all-conference slot behind three teammates: senior Ryan Jamieson (ninth), sophomore Jack Stanius (10th), and senior Camden O’Malley (15th). However, Fiddle was the lone Bear to qualify for state.

“He peaked at the right time, and is playing his best golf now,” said Nasvik after the section meet.

Bear girls duo competes at state

White Bear Lake senior Kristina Pratt and junior Ivory Drusch were in the middle of the pack at the state Class 3A tournament. Pratt, in her second state tournament, shot 79-90-169 for 46th place, and Drusch shot 85-86-171 for 49th place, among 88 golfers. ”Both Ivory and Kristina did a great job getting to state, and had pretty good results while there,” coach Craig Nasvik said. “There is a totally different pressure competing at the state tournament.” It was Pratt’s second state trip.

BRUCE STRAND

Easton Fiddle watched a tee shot at Bunker Hills on the second day of state.

Kristina Pratt closed her career making her second state trip, placing 46th.